Chapter 120: It Is My Intent to Win You Over (Part I)

Outside the Prince of Zhou’s manor, a middle-aged official dressed in the crimson robes of a fifth-rank official stood quietly before the spirit wall. He was a man of tall stature, slightly stout, with a square face, phoenix eyes that shone with sharp intelligence, and long eyebrows that swept up toward his temples. His nose was straight, his mouth firm, and a five-stranded beard hung down over his chest, giving him an air of natural, unforced authority. This man was Di Renjie, the newly appointed Justice of the Supreme Court.

Di Renjie had arrived in the capital three days ago. Yesterday, he had completed his entry formalities at the Ministry of Personnel and the Supreme Court, yet he had delayed his visit to the Prince of Zhou’s manor until today. Strictly speaking, he was already late. His rapid promotion was entirely due to the staunch support of Li Xian, and it would be no exaggeration to call Li Xian his benefactor. By conventional standards, Di Renjie should have visited the manor to express his gratitude before finalizing his appointment—an unwritten rule in the imperial court. However, after much deliberation, Di Renjie had decided to postpone the visit until after his official registration for two main reasons.

First, he could not fathom why Li Xian had recommended him so forcefully, nor what Li Xian’s intentions were. Without understanding the motives of his benefactor, he dared not request an audience lightly. Second, the Prince of Zhou’s manor was notoriously difficult to enter. Ever since Li Xian began participating in court politics, nine out of ten officials who sought an audience at his gates were turned away. This was not only a consensus among the capital’s bureaucracy but was also common knowledge among local officials in the provinces. Di Renjie had heard plenty of such stories. Having had no prior contact with Li Xian, he was unsure if he would be granted an audience and thus hesitated to impose himself. Yet, not visiting at all was out of the question; should word get out, he risked being branded with the ugly label of "ingratitude." After much thought, he chose the third day to pay his respects. As for whether he would be received, he did not particularly mind; fulfilling the social obligation was enough, and he could find other ways to repay the favor later.

It was this indifferent state of mind that allowed him to remain composed. Even though he had submitted his name card long ago without receiving a response, he stood steadily before the spirit wall, waiting patiently without a hint of impatience.

"Creak..."

Just as Di Renjie was certain he would not be received, the massive, tightly shut main gates of the manor began to open slowly. The ever-composed Di Renjie was caught completely off guard. Although he had not served in the central government before, he came from a scholarly family and had spent years in officialdom; he knew full well what it meant for the main gate of a prince’s residence to be thrown wide open. Startled, he looked around for the "distinguished guest" who might be arriving, only to find himself standing there alone, utterly bewildered.

"Hahaha... A distinguished guest has arrived, and I have failed to welcome you in time. Please forgive me, forgive me."

Just as Di Renjie was drowning in confusion, a hearty laugh rang out. Li Xian, dressed in the formal attire of a prince, emerged from the open gates accompanied by a retinue of manor officials. He walked straight up to Di Renjie, bowed with cupped hands, and offered a warm greeting.

"This subordinate, Supreme Court Justice Di Renjie, pays his respects to His Highness, the Prince of Zhou."

Di Renjie had never expected Li Xian to open the main gates specifically for him. Despite his naturally steady character, he was caught off balance. Fortunately, he was a man of substance; though flustered, he remained composed, quickly bowing low in a formal salute. His manners were impeccable, though his voice trembled slightly.

"Lord Di, please, no need for such formalities. I have been waiting for you for a long time. Come, let us go inside and talk." In his previous life, Li Xian had dealt with Di Renjie many times and knew well his dignified and composed nature. Seeing him rattled by this gesture, Li Xian felt a flicker of mischievous humor. He laughed heartily, stepped forward with excessive warmth, and took Di Renjie’s hand as if they were old friends reuniting, gesturing with his left hand for him to enter.

"Your Highness, this subordinate... this subordinate..."

Di Renjie was so taken aback by this sudden, overwhelming intimacy that he lost his composure. He stammered for a moment, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Lord Di, please."

Li Xian paid no mind to Di Renjie’s embarrassment, nor to the gaping, slack-jawed expressions of his own manor officials. With a hearty laugh, he led the reluctant Di Renjie through the gates.

"Lord Di, please, sit."

Li Xian pulled the dazed Di Renjie toward the front hall. Upon reaching the dais, he tried to guide Di Renjie to the seat of honor. Terrified, Di Renjie pulled his hand away, retreated several paces, and bowed deeply. "Your Highness, please do not ruin me. This subordinate is truly unworthy of such honor. Your Highness, please take your seat; I shall stand."

*Ha, so the legendary Lord Di can be flustered too! How interesting, truly interesting!* Recalling the elegant and composed statesman Di Renjie from his previous life, Li Xian felt a wave of amusement. However, his face remained filled with the most sincere smile. With extreme courtesy, he returned a partial bow. "Lord Di, have no doubts. My anticipation of your arrival was like that of a parched land waiting for rain. If I had not abandoned the scholar's path for the military, I would have begged to be your student. Yet, that does not prevent me from treating you with the respect due a teacher. I hope you will not decline."

"This subordinate dares not, dares not."

Poor Di Renjie was a sage of his generation, yet he was so tossed about by Li Xian’s eccentric behavior that he found himself at a loss, caught between laughter and tears. Unsure of Li Xian’s true nature, he could only repeat that he dared not accept such treatment, finding nothing else to say.

*Ha, well, enough joking. Any more and it will lose its charm.* Seeing a flicker of annoyance in Di Renjie’s eyes—which he hid quite well, though not well enough to escape Li Xian’s notice—Li Xian knew he had pushed enough. His expression turned solemn, and he bowed again. "Lord Di, do not be suspicious. My words are truly from the heart. If you do not mind, shall we sit and converse?"

"This..." Di Renjie looked at Li Xian with doubt. Seeing that both his expression and his eyes were completely frank, not at all like he was joking, Di Renjie felt a tremor in his heart. After a moment of hesitation, he steadied himself and bowed in response. "Your Highness is too kind. I am a man of meager talent and fear I am unworthy of your command."

"Lord Di, please sit." Li Xian ignored the humility, smiled, and gestured for Di Renjie to sit at the table opposite him.

"This subordinate dares not overstep. Your Highness, please sit; I shall stand."

Di Renjie was a man of great ambition. Although his promotion was due to Li Xian, he had not yet considered himself part of the Prince of Zhou’s faction. Sensing a clear attempt at solicitation, he became wary and replied with polite but firm refusal.

"All of you, withdraw!"

Seeing that Di Renjie refused to sit, Li Xian did not force the issue. He smiled, sat down himself, and then waved his hand at Gao Miao and the others who were waiting at his side, issuing a calm command.

"As you wish."

Once Li Xian gave the order, Gao Miao and the others, despite their confusion, dared not disobey. They acknowledged the command loudly and retreated from the hall, leaving only the two of them alone.

"Lord Di, have no doubts. I am indeed trying to recruit you."

After the others had left, Li Xian stared at Di Renjie for a long time—long enough for sweat to bead on Di Renjie’s forehead—before speaking, each word deliberate and clear.

"Ah, this... this subordinate..." Di Renjie was stunned by such directness. He choked on his words, stammering for a moment before he regained his senses. He took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, please be magnanimous. I am but a minor official, truly of little use and unworthy of your favor."

"Not so. The officials in the court are but mediocre figures; only you, Lord Di, possess the talent to be a pillar of the state. I do not misjudge people! If you do not object, please sit so we may talk, and allow me to explain in detail." Li Xian did not mind the polite refusal; he simply gestured again, his manner utterly sincere.

"I will obey your command."

Though Di Renjie had spent his career in local positions, he had heard much about this prince who possessed unparalleled eloquence, and he had studied several of Li Xian’s memorials. He held a clear assessment of Li Xian’s capabilities. While he was not yet ready to throw his lot in with the Prince of Zhou, he was curious about what Li Xian had to say. Moreover, since he was already in the manor, it would be inappropriate to leave abruptly. After a slight frown, he decided to listen first before deciding his next move. He bowed, walked slowly to the table at the lower end, knelt down, and sat upright, waiting with the posture of one prepared to receive instruction.

"Lord Di, in your view, how is the current state of the imperial court?"

Once Di Renjie was seated, Li Xian asked the question with a grave expression, throwing out an incredibly sensitive topic.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I have only just arrived at the capital and know nothing of the court’s situation. I am truly unable to speak on it."

Di Renjie had not expected Li Xian to start with such a broad and sensitive question. His heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly sought an excuse to block Li Xian’s line of questioning.

"Lord Di, do not blame me for speaking deeply to a new acquaintance. Heh, you surely have your own assessment of the court. As it stands, the Great Tang appears prosperous, but the internal rot is deep. If it is not cured now, the state will surely crumble into ruin!" Li Xian shook his head slightly, his tone heavy as he delivered his conclusion. At these words, Di Renjie’s face turned deathly pale, sweat poured from his forehead like a fountain, and his eyes were filled with unconcealable shock.